Combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling



June 28, 1966 M. H. MCDONALD COMBINATION GUN CARRYING HARNESS AND FLEXIBLE SLING Filed April 50, 1965 INVENTOR. MACK H. McDONALD United States Patent 3,258,182 COMBINATION GUN CARRYING HARNESS AND FLEXIBLE SLING Mack H. McDonald, 237 Minton Drive, Tempe, Ariz. Filed Apr. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 452,141 11 Claims. (Cl. 224-1) This invention relates to a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling, and more particularly to a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling for use for carrying sporting firearms by a person hunting wild fowl or other game.

Persons who hunt wild fowl with a shotgun or big game or other game with a rifle have carried and held various firearms at a ready position and have found such positions quite tiring when it is necessary to hold such firearms in these positions for long periods of time. As for example, when a wild fowl shooter is on a stand awaiting the approach of passing birds, the shooter may find it necessary to hold a firearm in ready position for such long periods of time as to become quite tiring. Additionally, those who await big game encounter the same conditions of fatique in the holding of firearms at ready positions. Additionally, various gun slings have been used in accordance with the prior art, but many have been either useful in carrying a firearm or for use in formal prone position shooting, as may be appropriate with rifles.

Many of the various slings used on firearms are uncomfortable for holding firearms in a certain position over long periods of time, and such slings are not readily and quickly adapted for use in an effortless movement of the firearm from a supported position to a final firing position and, consequently, a prior art devices have been inadequate in properly supporting a firearm at substantially ready position and permitting the firearm to readily be moved from such position to a final firing position, in a short period of time or very quickly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel gun carrying harness and flexible sling which is particularly useful in carrying and supporting firearms at substantially ready positions, so that such firearms may be quickly brought to a precise aimed disposition without undue eflort and without substantial loss of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling in which shoulder straps are interconnected by a diagonal tension strap and whereby flexible gun supporting straps are connected to the shoulder straps for suspending a gun therefrom, and whereby the flexible shoulder straps are stretch able, so that when the gun is moved from a supported substantially ready position to a final aimed position, the gun supporting straps may be slightly stretched and the tension strap between the shoulder straps may prevent displacement of the shoulder straps from the shoulders of the shooter, due to resilient tension of the gun supporting straps in connection therewhen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling having a torso surrounding means supported by shoulder straps and wherein the torso surrounding means includes cartridge and game pockets readily accessible to the shooter during suspension of a gun from the shoulder straps by means of flexible gun suspending or supporting strings.

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Another object of the invention is to provide a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling comprising a harness assembly which includes two shoulder straps, a torso surrounding means connected thereto, a diagonal tension strap interconnecting the shoulder straps, and resilient stretchable gun supporting straps disposed to suspend a gun from the shoulder straps whereby optimum comfort may be realized by a shooter when the gun is suspended in substantially ready position and whereby the gun may be very readily and quickly moved into a shooting aimed position without substantially displacement of the harness assembly with respect to the wearer.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling, in accordance with the present invention, and indicating by broken lines a varying position of the flexible gun supporting straps of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a reduced front elevational view of a gun carrying harness and flexible sling, in accordance with the present invention, and shown worn by a person with a gun suspended in substantially ready position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gun carrying harness and flexible sling of the invention shown positioned on a shooter holding a gun in aimed firing position and showing resilient gun supporting straps of the invention in extended position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a gun connection end of one of the flexible gun supporting straps of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the invention comprises a torso surrounding means 6 which may be made of any suitable material, such as flexible fabric or the like. This torso surrounding means may be in the form of a game carrying belt having pockets 7 and 8 which may either be used to carry cartridges and game or other articles as desired. The torso surrounding means 6 may extend a substantial distance vertically with respect to the body of the wearer and connected to the torso surroundingmeans 6 are straps 9 and 10 having respective rear portions 11 and 12 connected to a respective rear portion 13 of the torso surrounding means 6. The straps 9 and 10 are generally termed shoulder straps and are provided with respective front portions 14 and 16 having lower front ends 17 and 18, respectively, which are connected to front portions 19 and 20 of the torso surrounding means. The torso surrounding means is provided with opposite ends 21 and 22 interconnected by a removable coupling means 23 which may be of any suitable clasp or connection structure, as desired.

The straps 9 and 10 together with the torso surrounding means 6 constitutes a harness assembly, and this harness assembly is provided with a diagonal tension strap 24 having a normally lower end 25 connected to the harness assembly nearer a lower end portion 17 of the shoulder strap 9. An opposite or upper end 26 of the tension strap 24 is connected to the shoulder strap 10 at 27, this connection being substantially above the lower end 18 of the shoulder strap 10.

A stretchable resilient gun supporting strap 28 is provided with an upper end 29 which is connected to a lower end portion 17 of the shoulder strap 9. A lower gun connection end 30 of the strap 28 is connected 3 around a pistol grip portion 31 of a gun 32 in a general proximity of a trigger guard portion 33 of the gun.

The strap connection portion 30, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, comp-rises a slotted portion 34 in an end portion 35 of the strap, through which a loop portion 36 of the strap extends sothat the loop portion 36 may surround the pistol grip portion 3-1, or some other portion of the gun, for supporting it generally in the proximity or the area of the trigger guard 33.

Another flexible and stretchable or resilient gun supporting strap 37 is connected at its upper end 38 to the shoulder strap at the fixture 27 and a lower gun connection end 39 of the strap 37 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and particularly the loop structure 36 and slotted end 34. Thus, the gun connection portion 39 surrounds a barrel portion 40 of the gun 32 in the proximity of the forearm portion of the gun or forwardly thereof, if desired.

The terms proximity of the forearm port-ion, as used herein, may relate to and be construed to mean a connection with the gun at its forward portion either with the barrel or the forearm, but generally in the forward portion of the gun.

It will be seen that the gun supporting strap 37 is substantially longer than the strap 28, and that the connection 27 is substantially above the connection 29, these connections 27 and 29 being the supports for the upper ends of the straps 37 and 28, respectively.

An end portion 26 of the strap 24 is provided with a removable snap fixture 41 which permits removal of the end 26 of the tension strap 24 from the fixture 27, such that the harness straps 9 and .10 may be placed over the shoulders of the shooter with facility, thus, the removable connection 4 1 and the connection 23 readily permit the harness assembly of the invention to be secured on the wearer or removed from his person as desired.

In operation, it will be appreciated that the gun 32 may be suspended by the straps 28 and 37 and that the shoulder straps 9 and 10 at intermediate portions 43 and 44 thereof may be supported on the wearers shoulders and bear the weight of the gun 32. Thus, the gun may be suspended in substantially ready position, as shown in FIG. 2, while a shooter is waiting for passing wild fowl or other game and when it is desired to bring the gun to a precise aimed position, such as shown in FIG. 3, the gun is grasped and about to such position whereby the resilient and flexible straps 28 and 37 may be stretched into positions substantially, as indicated by broken lines A and B, respectively, in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and as indicated in FIG. 3 by solid lines. During this disposition of the gun 32, the strap 37 is stretched substantially which tends to create lateral tension on the shoulder strap 10. However, the tension strap 24 resists lateral movement of the shoulder strap 10 and retains it on the shoulder of the shooter.

It will be understood that the tension strap 24 may be disposed in an opposite diagonal direction depending upon whether or not the shooter is right or lefthanded.

The invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is adapted for a right-handed shooter, however, if it is to be adapted for a left-handed shooter, strap 24 at its upper end 26 would be connected to the frontal portion 14 of the strap 9 and the lower end of the strap 24 would be connected to the relatively opposite side 20 of the torso surrounding means 6.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shoulder straps 9 and 10 provide for very comfortable support of the gun 32 when in the position as shown in FIG. 2, and that the tension strap 24 prevents displacement of the shoulder strap 10 from the shoulder, when the strap 37 is stretched to the position shown in FIG. 3, at which the gun is precisely aimed for shooting game.

The torso surrounding means 6 may include game bags or other pockets 7 and 8, as hereinbefore described, or it may be a simple strap-shaped band, if desired.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: .a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said shoulder straps adapted to engage and be supported on one of a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps a second flexible gun supporting strap having a second end coupled to a front portion of said harness assembly, said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said harness assembly below said first end.

2. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said shoulder straps adapted to engage and be supported on one of a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled .to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having a second end coupled to a front portion of said harness assembly, said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said harness assembly below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than said second resilient strap.

3. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said shoulder straps adapted to engage and be supported on one of a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having a second end coupled to a front portion of said harness assembly, said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said harness assembly below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than said second resilient strap; a gun connection end of said first resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the forearm of the gun; and a gun connection end of said second resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the trigger guard of the gun.

4. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps adapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end.

5. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said shoulder straps adapted to engage and be supported on one of a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun sup porting strap having a second end coupled to a front portion of said harness assembly, said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said harness assembly below said first end; and a diagonal tension strap having opposite ends coupled to said harness assembly in proximities of said first and second ends.

6. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps adapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end; and a diagonal tension strap having opposite ends coupled to said harness assembly in proximities of said first and second ends.

7. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps adapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than second resilient strap.

8. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso sur rounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps adapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; 21 first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than second resilient strap; a gun connection end of said first resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the forearm of the gun and a gun connection end of said second resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the trigger guard of the gun.

9. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps dapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than second resilient strap; a gun connection end of said first resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the forearm of the gun and a gun connection end of said second resilient strap adapted to be connected to -a gun in the proximity of the trigger guard of the gun; and a diagonal tension strap having opposite ends coupled to said harness assembly in proximities of said first and second ends.

10. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding rneans; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said straps adapted to engage and be supported on a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun supporting strap having a first end coupled to said front portion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun supporting strap having one end coupled to said front portion of the other of said shoulder straps; said first end coupled to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said second end; said second end coupled to said other shoulder strap below said first end; said first resilient strap being longer than second resilient strap; a gun connection end of said first resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the forearm of the gun and a gun connection end of said second resilient strap adapted to be connected to a gun in the proximity of the trigger guard of the gun; and a diagonal tension strap having opposite ends couple-d to said harness assembly in proximities of said first and second ends; one of said opposite ends of said tension strap removably connected to said harness assembly.

11. In a combination gun carrying harness and flexible sling the combination of: a harness assembly comprising a torso surrounding means; and a pair of shoulder straps coupled to said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of said torso surrounding means; front and rear portions of each of said shoulder straps coupled to said front and rear portions respectively of said torso surrounding means; an intermediate portion of each of said shoulder straps adapted to engage and be supported on one of a persons shoulders; a first resilient gun sup- 7 8 porting strap having a first end coupled to said front por- References Cited by the Examiner tion of one of said shoulder straps; a second flexible gun UNITED STATES PATENTS supporting strap having a second end coupled to a front portion of said harness assembly, said first end coupled 1,198,202 9/1916 Dnnkard 224 5 to the respective shoulder strap at a location above said 5 2477432 7/1949 Walsh 2245 second end; said second end coupled to said harness as- FOREIGN PATENTS sembly below said first end; and a diagonal tension strap having opposite ends coupled to said harness assembly 113,515 2/1918 Great Bntam' in proximities of said first and second ends; one of said opposite ends of said tension strap removably connected 10 GERALD FORLENZA Prlmary Examiner to said harness assembly. F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A COMBINATION GUN CARRYING HARNES AND FLEXIBLE SLING THE COMBINATION OF: A HARNESS ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A TORSO SURROUNDING MEANS; AND A PAIR OF SHOULDER STRAPS COUPLED TO SAID TORSO SURROUNDING MEANS; FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF SAID TOSO SURROUNDING MEANS; FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF EACH OF SAID SHOULDER STRAPS COUPLED TO SAID FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY OF SAID TOSO SURROUNDING MERANS; AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION EACH OF SAID SHOULDER STRAPS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND BE SUPPORTED ON ONE OF A PERSON''S SHOULDERS; A FIRST RESILIENT GUN SUPPORTING STRAP HAVING A FIRST END COUPLED TO SAID FRONT PORTION OF ONE OF SAID SHOULDER STRAPS A SECOND FLEXIBLE GUN SUPPORTING STRAP HAVING A SECOND END COUPLED TO A FRONT 